SharpR-1514 1-1/2-Cubic-Foot 1000-Watt Over-the-Range Microwave, Stainless

Ordered this unit to replace front-vented GE unit under a 15" cabinet. In searching for a replacement, we found only a few currently manufactured front-vent units. Unit fits perfectly and recirculated air vents through front with no interference from deeper cabinet (height is approx. 1" shorter in rear than previous GE unit). Installation was straight-forward and, with two persons for lifting the unit, there was no difficulty. Looks good and appears to meet our expectations.

Worked great for 6 months then died. Sharp has decided to replace the microwave and pay for the installation. I will review the new unit after 6 months. Originally Sharp wanted to repair it but the repair was botched and after some talk we will be trying a new unit in 7-10 days. Hopefully it will function and last like my other Sharp purchases. If not I will update this review again.

This is to review the installation only. Installation was a snap, but then I was replacing a Sharp microwave with a Sharp microwave so the mounting hardware was the same. The previously installed back mounting plate was identical to the one shipped with the new unit, so I left it alone, and the mounting points thru the upper cabinet where the same so no need to drill new holes. Some comments had been made about the poor lighting under the unit, this is true of almost any over the range unit. To solve the problem, replace the units bulbs with LED bulbs. You will get alot more light and use less power, but even then, don't expect it to light up a kitchen.

The programming keys are inside the microwave, which I thought shouldn't be a problem. However, unless the overhead light is on in the kitchen, the numbers are hard to see. My original one had all the buttons outside, and was easy to see. It lasted 22 years. I hope this one will last quite awhileAlso, the fan is extremely loud, and putting it on the lower speed fan hardly changes the noise at all. Very aggravating when cooking something for a long time, such as home made soup or spaghetti sauce. I wish there was a way to quiet the fan. I have tinnitus and to have that buzzing in my ears to begin with and then the noise of the fan itself, makes me want to scream. I have to keep walking away from it or shut the fan and wipe the front of the microwave alot.

This microwave has been lousy. The lower door push failed within first few uses. It sprang out and had to be reinstalled several times. I tried several times to get it repaired. Sharp keeps giving me phone numbers that say they do nit repair Sharp products. Eventually Sharp tried to say the product is out of warranty. I bought it now months ago and installed it ten months ago and it has been used maybe a hundred times. Do it buy one!

The identical model was in my home for fourteen years and I liked it so much I ordered it again.. It looks Sharp, clean lines and operates efficiently. The microwave is built solid and quite heavy requiring two strong people to install.

This replaced an identical Sharp microwave bought in 2009 .It has 4 buttons on the front and more when you open the door.The add a minute button on the front is a great feature.The only negative would be the 2 speed fan . The high and low speed are identical at high .It’s odd that after 9 years and complaints about the first fan they did not fix the problem .But after looking at hundreds of microwaves, I think this is the simplest 4 button oven I have seen.

All of these over the range microwaves seem to be unreliable, probably because of the heat from the range. This is our second of the same model; the first lasted about 9 years. It functions well when new, has a very large turntable, and the automatic settings do a good job. The new incarnation is quieter than my old one. The mounting hardware is simple, and there are spacers which make it easy to place it precisely below the cabinet. The top screws are flimsy and the heads stick into the cabinet, though.As other reviewers have noted, the large button to open the microwave seems to warp after time. The small electrical interlock switches in that area also fail. There is an automatic fan when the unit gets too hot, but it probably comes on too late to protect the unit; be generous using the exhaust fan.If you are handy, the front control panel is easy to remove (remove the grill at the top, and slide the panel up and out). A replacement button is available, and I've also added a spring when it gets tight. Honeywell makes switches with a higher temperature rating, and these did not fail. I wish I could add some fiberglass insulation to the bottom front of the unit.If you are not handy, find a friend who is. Or get a countertop unit that should last 20 years.